Bat lag and bat extension instant feedback training system

• US 20100248853A1
• Filed: 03/26/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anthony J. Dellinger
• Original Assignee: Anthony J. Dellinger
• Inventors: Dellinger, Anthony J.
• Application Number:
  US12/383,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20100248853A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/225
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3614 using electro-magnetic, magnetic or ultrasonic radiation emitted, reflected or interrupted by the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A training system is disclosed which indicates to a baseball/softball hitter that he/she does not have the proper bat lag and will indicate to the hitter that the bat was properly extended after hitting the ball. The system may also be used for the training of golfers or other sports enthusiasts.

Claims

1. A training system for use by a baseball/softball hitter which instantly indicates whether the hitter does not have proper bat lag as the hitter swings a bat forwardly towards a ball impact zone while standing at one side thereof, comprising:

an electrically powered bat lag sensor apparatus positioned on a supporting surface rearwardly of the ball impact zone;

said bat lag sensor apparatus including at least one electronic photoeye which directs a beam of light upwardly therefrom;

said bat lag sensor apparatus also including a normally non-illuminated indicator light operatively electrically connected to said photoeye and which is illuminated if the hands of the hitter or the bat pass through said beam of light as the hitter swings the bat towards the ball impact zone thereby indicating that the hitter did not have the proper bat lag during the swing.

2. The training system of claim 1 wherein said bat lag sensor apparatus includes at least a rear photoeye and a front photoeye spaced therefrom.

3. The training system of claim 1 wherein said bat lag sensor apparatus includes an audio means which is activated when said indicator light is activated.

4. The training system of claim 2 wherein an indicator light is operatively connected to each of said photoeyes.

5. The training system of claim 1 further including a ball tee positioned in the ball impact zone.

6. The training system of claim 1 wherein a home plate is positioned on a supporting surface forwardly of said bat lag sensor apparatus.

7. The training system of claim 1 wherein said indicator light comprises a light emitting device (LED).

8. The training system of claim 1 further including an electrically powered bat extension sensor apparatus which is positioned forwardly of the ball impact zone, said bat extension sensor apparatus including at least one electronic photoeye which directs a beam of light upwardly therefrom, a normally non-illuminated indicator light operatively electrically connected to said photoeye of said bat extension sensor apparatus which is illuminated if the barrel of the bat passes through said beam of light as the hitter swings the bat through a bat extension zone above the bat extension sensor apparatus thereby indicating that the hitter properly extended the bat through the bat extension zone.

9. The training system of claim 8 wherein a plurality of spaced-apart photoeyes and a plurality of indicator lights are provided on said bat extension sensor apparatus.

10. The training system of claim 1 wherein said bat lag sensor apparatus is powered by a 24-volt power source.

11. The training system of claim 8 wherein said bat lag sensor apparatus and said bat extension sensor apparatus are powered by a 24-volt power source.

19. The training system of claim 1 wherein an audio signal device is connected to said photoeye which is activated when said indicator light is illuminated.

12. A training system for use by a baseball/softball hitter which instantly indicates whether the hitter does not have proper bat lag as the hitter swings a bat forwardly through a ball impact zone and which instantly indicates whether the hitter properly extended the bat after swinging through the ball impact zone, comprising:

an electrically powered bat lag sensor apparatus positioned on a supporting surface rearwardly of the ball impact zone;

said bat lag sensor apparatus including at least one electronic photoeye which directs a beam of light upwardly therefrom;

said bat lag sensor apparatus also including a normally non-illuminated indicator light operatively electrically connected to said photoeye and which is illuminated if the hands of the hitter or the bat pass through said beam of light as the hitter swings the bat towards the ball impact zone thereby indicating that the hitter did not have the proper bat lag during the swing; and

an electrically powered bat extension sensor apparatus which is positioned forwardly of the ball impact zone, said bat extension sensor apparatus including at least one electronic photoeye which directs a beam of light upwardly therefrom, a normally non-illuminated indicator light operatively electrically connected to said photoeye of said bat extension sensor apparatus which is illuminated if the barrel of the bat passes through said beam of light as the hitter swings the bat through a bat extension zone above the bat extension sensor apparatus thereby indicating that the hitter properly extended the bat through the bat extension zone.

13. The training system of claim 12 wherein said bat lag sensor apparatus indicates at least a pair of photoeyes and a pair of indicator lights and wherein said bat extension sensor apparatus includes a plurality of photoeyes and a plurality of indicator lights.

14. The training system of claim 13 wherein said indicator lights comprise light emitting diodes.

20. The training system of claim 12 wherein an audio signal device is connected to said photoeye which is activated when the indicator light on said bat lag sensor apparatus is illuminated.

15. A training system for use by a golfer which instantly indicates whether the takeaway of the golfer has been properly executed during the golfer'"'"'s swing at a golf ball, comprising:

an electrically powered takeaway sensor apparatus positioned rearwardly of the golf ball being hit, said takeaway sensor apparatus including at least one electronic photoeye which directs a beam of light upwardly therefrom and a normally non-illuminated indicator light connected to said electronic photoeye which is illuminated if the club of the golfer passes through the beam of light.

16. The training system of claim 15 wherein an electrically powered follow-through sensor apparatus is positioned forwardly of the golf ball being hit, said follow-through sensor apparatus including at least one electronic photoeye which directs a beam of light upwardly therefrom, and a normally non-illuminated indicator light connected to said photoeye which is illuminated if the club of the golfer passes through the beam of light of the follow-through sensor apparatus to indicate that the golfer properly extended the golf club after hitting the golf ball.

17. A training system for use by a baseball/softball hitter which instantly indicates whether a batter has properly extended the bat after swinging through a ball impact zone, comprising:

an electrically powered bat extension sensor apparatus which is positioned forwardly of the ball impact zone, said bat extension sensor apparatus including at least one electronic photoeye which directs a beam of light upwardly therefrom, a normally non-illuminated indicator light operatively electrically connected to said photoeye of said bat extension sensor apparatus which is illuminated if the barrel of the bat passes through said beam of light as the hitter swings the bat through a bat extension zone above the bat extension sensor apparatus thereby indicating the hitter properly extended the bat through the bat extension zone.

18. The training system of claim 17 wherein a plurality of photoeyes and a plurality of indicator lights are provided on said bat extension sensor apparatus.